Search Macon Genealogy Records

Macon genealogy records go back to 1823 when Bibb County was formed. The consolidated Macon-Bibb County government holds marriage records, probate files, land deeds, and court cases for family history research in central Georgia.

Bibb County Courthouse Records

Macon and Bibb County merged in 2012. The courthouse on Mulberry Street handles all genealogy records for the area. Marriage records go back to 1823. Probate records start the same year. Land records also begin in 1823.

The Probate Court handles marriage licenses, wills, estate files, guardianships, and conservatorships under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30. The Superior Court Clerk has land deeds, divorce files, and civil court cases. Both offices accept walk-in visits and mail requests.

Bibb County has over 200 years of courthouse records. Wills, estate inventories, and guardianship files from the 1820s and 1830s are among the earliest in central Georgia. These records are open to the public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. If your family was in the Macon area in the early 1800s, the courthouse is the first place to look.

Vital Records for Macon Genealogy

Macon has local vital records that predate statewide registration. The Bibb County Health Department at 171 Emery Highway has birth records from 1891 and death records from 1882. That gives Macon researchers roughly 30 extra years of vital record data compared to most Georgia cities.

Statewide vital records began in 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each extra. Death certificates are the same. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified birth certificates are restricted to the person named, parents, grandparents, adult children, adult siblings, spouses, or legal guardians.

Death certificates from 1882 at the Health Department are a valuable resource for Macon genealogy. For records after 1919, you can also request copies from the Georgia Department of Public Health. The Georgia Archives Virtual Vault has free death certificates from 1919 to 1943. FamilySearch has indexed Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943.

Online Genealogy Records for Macon

Search Bibb County records online through the E-Access to Court Records system. Registration is free. Basic case data is free. Document copies cost $2.50 for the first page and $1.00 per page after.

O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 provides public access to most government records. Court records at the Bibb County courthouse fall under this law. Written open records requests go to the clerk. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, copy fees are capped at 10 cents per page for standard documents from public agencies.

Free sites for Macon genealogy include FamilySearch, the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault, and the Georgia Historic Newspapers archive. Old Macon newspapers have obituaries, wedding notices, and legal ads. The Macon Telegraph has been in print since 1826 and many old issues are available on microfilm.

Georgia Probate Courts Directory

The Georgia Courts website has a directory of all probate courts in the state, including the Bibb County Probate Court serving Macon.

This directory lists contact information and services for every probate court in Georgia, including the one that handles Macon-Bibb County genealogy records.

Macon Genealogy Research Tips

Macon sits in the center of Georgia. It was a major railroad hub. Families came and went often. If your Macon ancestors seem to move around, check records in surrounding counties like Houston, Jones, Monroe, and Crawford.

Census records from 1830 to 1950 are on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. The 1850 census was the first to name every person in the household. The 1890 census was mostly destroyed. Use Bibb County tax digests at the Georgia Archives to fill that gap.

The Middle Georgia Archives at the Washington Memorial Library in Macon has local history and genealogy collections. They hold old newspapers, city directories, maps, and family files. This is another good in-person resource for Macon genealogy.

Macon's pre-1919 vital records at the Health Department are a major advantage. Death records from 1882 and birth records from 1891 are rare for Georgia cities. Start there before checking statewide databases.

• Check death records from 1882 and birth records from 1891 at the Health Department
• Visit the courthouse for marriage and probate records from 1823
• Search the Middle Georgia Archives for newspapers and city directories
• Look at surrounding county records for families who moved often
• Use the Georgia Archives for free Ancestry.com and FamilySearch access
• Check church records for baptisms, marriages, and burials

Bibb County Records

Macon is the county seat of Bibb County. The city and county merged in 2012. Visit our Bibb County page for full details on courthouse records, fees, and contact information.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Macon. If your family had connections across central Georgia, check records in these areas too.